The New York Jets lost starting safety Chuck Clark due to an ankle issue during Monday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, and now the veteran has landed on Injured Reserve.
Needing to open a roster spot after trading for wide receiver Davante Adams on Tuesday morning, the Jets opted to place Clark onto IR. The designation means that the safety will not be available for at least the next four weeks.
Clark left Monday’s game late in the first quarter and never returned. The team officially ruled him out for the remainder of the contest prior to halftime.
After recovering from an ACL tear that cost him the entire 2023 season, Clark started the first six games this year alongside fellow safety Tony Adams. He’s been on the field for 85 percent of defensive snaps while accounting for 32 tackles, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Here are the three replacement options for the injured starter currently available at 1 Jets Drive.
Ashtyn Davis
The 2020 third-round draft pick, who re-signed this past offseason, came on in relief of Clark on Monday night. Davis logged 65 defensive snaps against the Bills, making nine tackles while visibly struggling in pass coverage.
Davis has made the majority of his contributions on special teams, but saw his role expand as a second-string safety in 2023.
Isaiah Oliver
After signing as a free agent, Oliver transitioned from cornerback to safety during OTAs. The former second-round draft pick, who spent the 2023 campaign with the San Francisco 49ers, has contributed on both defense and special teams for the Jets through the season’s first six weeks.
Oliver was used on 37 defensive snaps against the Bills. He made two solo tackles and broke up one pass in the 23-20 loss.
Jalen Mills
Mills saw his first action as a Jet on Monday night against the Bills. The Jets signed the former Super Bowl champion, who played all 17 games for the New England Patriots last year, to their Practice Squad on September 23.
New York designated Mills as a Week 6 gameday elevation and the converted cornerback logged nine snaps on Monday night.
